Tsunami reconstruction funds fall short of $4.22b<\/p>\n
Karl Wilson, Agence France-Presse\/Manila<\/p>\n
Funds raised so far to help rebuild four of the countries worst
\naffected by the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster fall short by
\nUS$4.22 billion, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Friday.<\/p>\n
According to ADB data some $7.76 billion is be needed by
\nIndia, Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka for rehabilitation
\nand reconstruction.<\/p>\n
So far, only $3.54 billion has been committed by donor nations
\nand agencies, leaving a funding gap of some $4.22 billion, the
\nbank said, revising its earlier estimate of a $5.25 billion
\nshortfall.<\/p>\n
The data is contained in a "Tsunami Recovery Tracking Matrix"
\nwhich was presented at a one-day international conference
\norganized by the ADB at its Manila headquarters.<\/p>\n
The Dec. 26 disaster, triggered by a massive undersea quake
\nmeasuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, killed more than 270,000
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Those attending the conference include ministers from India,
\nThailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Sir Lanka; representatives from 28
\nADB member countries; United Nations agencies; the World Bank;
\nInternational Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, the
\nprivate sector and non-government organizations (NGOs).<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the ADB said the matrix "is not
\ndefinitive."<\/p>\n
"There are still a lot of gaps that need to be filled in but
\nit is a start. It is hoped it will be used as a fundamental
\nplanning tool for donors, affected countries, NGOs and the like
\nto get a broad view of what is needed, where the aid is needed
\nand how much will it cost."<\/p>\n
According to the ADB's figures the cost for rehabilitation and
\nreconstruction in affected parts of India is estimated at $1.21
\nbillion of which $791.3 million has been committed.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will need $4.72 billion of which $1.70 billion has
\nbeen committed, the Maldives $406.3 million with $187.2 million
\ncommitted and Sri Lanka $1.42 billion and $864 million.<\/p>\n
Thailand was not included in the matrix as "it has not sought
\ninternational assistance for rehabilitation or reconstruction
\nneeds," according to the ADB.<\/p>\n
ADB president Haruhiko Kuroda said at the opening of the
\nconference that the distribution of the billions of dollars
\npledged must be "predictable, transparent, strategic and
\neffective.<\/p>\n
"As the recovery effort now moves from initial relief to
\nrehabilitation and reconstruction, it is essential to keep the
\nworld's attention focused on continued support and ensure that
\ndonor confidence in our efforts remains high," he said.<\/p>\n
He told the conference that in India almost 700 kilometers of
\nroads were damaged while in Indonesia's Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam,
\nthe worst affected areas, some 44 percent of the population were
\naffected.<\/p>\n
"These are just a few examples of the tsunami's massive
\nfootprint," he said. "Clearly, the rehabilitation and
\nreconstruction needs across all sectors must be addressed in
\norder to meet this huge challenge."<\/p>",
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